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Gold coins confirm 'world's richest shipwreck' is 18th century Spanish galleon

Popular Science

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. The yearslong international fight to lay claim to the suspected "world's richest shipwreck" likely won't end anytime soon, especially after a research team's most recent conclusions. Experts have confirmed that dozens of gold coins scattered across the ocean floor off the coast of Colombia belonged to the San José, an ill-fated Spanish treasure galleon that sank over 300 years ago during a battle with British warships. The findings were published on June 10 in the journal Antiquity. In June 1708, the San José and a fleet of 17 other vessels departed the capital of Colombia for Europe laden with gold, silver, and uncut gems.